How
well does she move? With McLeskey at the wheel, we prepared for speed
trials on nearby and calm Lake Worth (not optimal conditions for testing
an offshore boat). Our 60 hit a comfortable cruise of 37 mph at 2000 rpm
while burning 104 gph. At WOT (2350 rpm), she made an eye-tearing (if
you don't have the optional isinglass) 42.8 mph, and those diesels
got hungry, drinking 148 gph. However, to put this into perspective, how
often are you really going to light her up?

McLeskey
handed me the wheel and I gave the boat's Palm Beach helm setup
a go. I noticed at the wheel that the Hynautic hydraulic steering was
real-time quick, and although my unfamiliarity with the Sturdy single-lever
electronic controls and the 60's three separate running modes (hi
idle, low idle, and troll) made for some awkward opening moments--especially
since leaning forward to adjust the running modes on the electronics panel
meant I had to stretch my 5'7" frame over the helm pod and protruding
controls. McLeskey's tutorial helped me gain rapid confidence in
handling the 60.

One
great custom touch that did feel made for me was her standard helm-chair
platform. The Release chair sits on a teak-soled platform atop her extended
deckhouse, which enhances cockpit visibility while backing down and lends
itself to good visibility forward at speed. However, even with the chair's
added height, I couldn't clearly see the bow over her large flying-bridge
superstructure at slow speeds. This could cause an issue when maneuvering
the 60 in close-quarters.

However,
one place where visibility abounds on the 60 is her uninhibited cockpit,
which is rigged per Sculley Sr.'s vision with the hardcore tournament
fisherman in mind. How about a standard stainless steel transom fishbox
with livewell? Or a standard stainless steel in-deck fishbox large enough
for a dozen or more 50-plus-pound tuna? The material is scratch-resistant
and easy to maintain. These fishing amenities are all mounted cleanly
and flush, so all you see upon stepping aboard the 60 is room for fighting
fish. This wide-open area should appeal to all standup fishermen and fishermen
that love to fish and hate to clean. (There is a standard deck plate under
the cockpit sole for mounting a fighting chair, should you want to install
one.) On the options side, the 60 is available with refrigeration for
the aforementioned fishboxes, a stainless steel bait-prep station, 41-foot
Rupp outriggers, a Pipewelders tuna tower, a recessed teaser-reel box
on the flying bridge, spreader lights, an Eskimo ice maker with cockpit
dump, and no fewer than 13 rod holders. And if you see something missing
for your angling arsenal, Sculley will gladly add it. One particularly
cool feature is the 60's down-angle side scuppers that prevent water
from running up onto the deck and at the same time quickly evacuate any
water that does enter through the transom door. You could tell an angler
built this boat.

Now
what good is all this gear if you don't get a chance to try it?
The three of us made a quick run to the marina and picked up local fishing
experts Capt. Joe Drosey and his mate Scott Taylor from the charter boat
Osprey to see if they could help us find some fish. About a mile or so
off the beach, the captain ran a kite off one of the flying-bridge rocket
launchers with three goggle-eye baits floating off three Shimano TLD 30s,
while we trolled at about 2 1/2 knots. Troll mode came in handy, as we
were able to move ahead slowly enough to keep the kite flying in a light
wind. Within a couple of minutes the long bait was hit and I hooked up,
but the fish (we never saw what it was) bit through the 30-pound mono.
Shortly thereafter, Sculley bagged a mahi-mahi, which quickly went into
the refrigerated in-deck fishbox to be saved for dinner. (For those of
you intent on long-range fishing trips, the in-deck box can be cooled
to -20°F.) There were a couple more bites before the sun got low in
the sky and it was time for these fishermen to run the Sculley 60 home.

For
the run back, McLeskey and I retreated to the air conditioning of the
saloon (there are five air-conditioning zones), which is accented with
an optional satin-finished curly cherrywood that is reminiscent of pearl
inlay. The curly cherrywood, which represents a departure from a more
traditional teak or cherry interior, makes for an attractive and easy-to-maintain
finish that has shine without being high-gloss. Sculley told me during
the test that they wanted a durable sportfisherman that had a fit and
finish to match performance and fishability. I would say that from her
roomy saloon with 6'6" headroom to the equally spacious three-stateroom
layout (all featuring the curly cherrywood) below decks with master amidships,
this builder has married form and function quite well.

McLeskey
and I discussed circle-hook techniques as he sat back on the optional
lounge to port and I took a seat on one of the optional bar stools on
centerline. The bar stool offered me a great view of the galley-up to
port, which sports a four-burner ceramic cooktop, two Sub-Zero refrigerators
and freezers, and enough stowage space to keep you well-fed on long-range
trips to the edge.

As we
got close to Sailfish Marina, McLeskey scurried up to the bridge to bring
the 60 into port, and he spun her big-flared bow and backed her into the
slip like a hand returning to a familiar glove. It reminded me of that
suit I was telling you about, it just fit right. Perhaps if you take this
cleanly finished Carolina-flared design as is, or tailor her with a new
interior, gear, and fishing amenities of your choice, you may find that
the Sculley 60 Sportfisherman is a battlewagon suited just for you.